-- The Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced twenty-four civilian employers participated in the 2010 Delaware ESGR Bosslift on April 18, hosted by the Delaware Air National Guard, 166th Airlift Wing, in New Castle, Delaware. The event, coined a “Bosslift,” was created to provide employers and supervisors the opportunity to better understand and observe what their employees do when they are away from their civilian occupation for military duty.
Delaware Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
103 Artisan Drive, Smyrna, DE 19977 | 302.326.7582 | www.esgr.mil
PICTURE CAPTION:
Kneeling (left to right): Lt. Jason Sapp, Robert Welch, Chuck Dobbs, Jeff Lewin, Jacob Lewin. 2nd Row (left to right): Marian Young, Hannah Messner, Martha Gimbel, Dr. Charles Curry, Commissioner George Sweeney, Hercules Mathis, Hon. Jim Sills III, Lew Morrison. Back Row (left to right): Immanuel Jackson, Cheryl Frampton, Mark Lannan, Donna McCullin, Dominick Pulieri, Jeff Gosnear, Frank Ingraham Jr, Dr. Jacqueline Jenkins, David Ripsom, Christopher Swift, Cindy Swift.
New Castle, Del.
The 166th Airlift Wing showcased its military heroes and hardware for civilian employers during the April drill weekend. Guests were first welcomed by Major General Frank Vavala, Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard, Brigadier General Hugh Broomall, Assistant Adjutant General for Air and Commander Delaware Air National Guard, and Ms. Paulette Mason, State Chair of Delaware ESGR.
The local business leaders spent Sunday being educated about the Guard, its history and operations, as well as learned more on employer resources available through Delaware ESGR in managing their military employees and understanding the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). USERRA is the federal law that establishes job rights and responsibilities for members of the National Guard and Reserve and their civilian employers.
Escorted by SMSgt Mike Davis, Recruiting & Retention Superintendent of the Delaware Air Guard, civilian employers toured the New Castle air base. More than 1,000 men and women of the 166th Airlift Wing support, maintain and fly the eight permanently assigned, Lockheed C-130 H2 Hercules transport aircraft. The wing provides the U.S. Air Force with tactical airlift and airdrop of troops, cargo and passengers and aeromedical evacuation of patients anywhere in the world.
A true highlight for the group was a tour of the maintenance hangar led by Col Dan Vanwyk, Maintenance Group Commander. For lunch, the group ate in the onsite Aerospace Dining Facility, amongst the uniformed service members.
"It was a wonderful experience to see and meet the many members of the Guard in their element. It was a wonderful day and a great opportunity to network with other employers and to get ideas from them," stated Martha Gimbel, Labor Relations & Classification Manager in Human Resources at the City of Wilmington.
The day’s finale was in the air, onboard a C-130 employer orientation flight. Grotto Pizza owner Dominick Pulieri expressed afterwards, “I really did feel at home. The C-130 flight was great. I have flown on other military aircraft, but that was the first time on a C-130. I do not think enough civilians appreciate how much sacrifice is given to our country by these men and women that serve.”
The City of Wilmington and Grotto Pizza are two of the many Delaware businesses that employ the men and women who also serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of citizen warriors. More information about ESGR employer programs is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling Mrs. Christine Kubik, Executive Director of Delaware ESGR at (302) 326-7582.
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